Proposals to curb online speech viewed as threat to open internet

SAN FRANCISCO/ TORONTO, June 21 (Reuters) - At least a
dozen countries are considering or have enacted laws restricting
online speech, a trend that is alarming policymakers and others
who see the internet as a valuable medium for debate and
expression.

Such curbs are called out as a threat to the open internet
in a report on internet governance set to be released today at
an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development meeting
in Cancun, Mexico.

The report, reviewed by Reuters, warns of dangers for the
global internet, including intrusive surveillance, rising
cybercrime and fragmentation as governments exert control of
online content.

It was prepared by the London-based Chatham House think tank
and the Centre for International Governance Innovation, founded
by former BlackBerry Ltd co-chief Jim Balsillie.

China and Iran long have restricted online speech. Now
limitations are under discussion in countries that have had a
more open approach to speech, including Brazil, Malaysia,
Pakistan, Bolivia, Kenya and Nigeria.

Advocates said some of the proposals would criminalize
conversations online that otherwise would be protected under the
countries' constitutions. Some use broad language to outlaw
online postings that "disturb the public order" or "convey false
statements" - formulations that could enable crackdowns on
political speech, critics said.

"Free expression is one of the foundational elements of the
internet," said Michael Chertoff, former U.S. secretary of
Homeland Security and a co-author of the internet governance
report. "It shouldn't be protecting the political interests of
the ruling party or something of that sort."

Turkey and Thailand also have cracked down on online speech,
and a number of developing world countries have unplugged social
media sites altogether during elections and other sensitive
moments. In the U.S. as well, some have called for restrictions
on Internet communications.
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